Zelensky proposes multiple citizenship bill
Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will present a bill on dual citizenship to the Ukrainian Parliament on January 22.
He announced this in a video address, where he offered his greetings for Unity Day, Rubryka reports, citing the president's website.
"Today, I am introducing a crucial draft law to the Ukrainian Parliament, which will enable comprehensive changes to the legislation and establish the institution of dual citizenship," he stated.
According to Zelensky, this move will allow all ethnic Ukrainians and their descendants from various countries worldwide, excluding Russian citizens, to have Ukrainian citizenship.
"Everyone who involuntarily left their homeland during different periods of emigration, ending up in Europe, the USA, Canada, Asian countries, and Latin America; everyone who helps us despite hundreds and thousands of kilometers away from our homeland. Foreign volunteers who stand in defense of Ukraine, all those who fight for the freedom of Ukraine as for their homeland. And Ukraine will become such for them," the president added.
Dual citizenship in Ukraine
Dual citizenship is the status in which a person is recognized as a citizen of two or more countries according to the laws of those countries. However, the Ukrainian Constitution (Article 4) defines Ukraine as having a single citizenship.
In October 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they consider it necessary to introduce dual citizenship in Ukraine. However, there should be exceptions, particularly prohibiting any dual citizenship with an aggressor state, Russia.
Even before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there were discussions about legislatively regulating the issue of dual citizenship. In December 2021, President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced a bill on dual citizenship to the Verkhovna Rada, but the document was not considered.
As previously reported, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, believes that dual citizenship should be one of the elements of state policy to preserve and develop the global Ukrainian community, but with one restriction.
He added that this policy should be implemented sensibly, gradually, starting with "friendly allied countries."
"And, of course, any dual citizenship with an aggressor state or unfriendly countries should be prohibited," the minister added.
On April 21, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed bill No. 7606, which provides for passing exams on the basics of the Constitution, the history of Ukraine, and proficiency in the state language as a condition for acquiring Ukrainian citizenship.
Earlier, Rubryka also explored the potential issues that may arise on the path to enabling dual citizenship in Ukraine and how to address them.
